Epidemiology
Degree Programs

UCLA Fielding is a national leader in preparing a new generation of epidemiologists to tackle today’s most pressing public health challenges. FSPH’s Department of Epidemiology provides a stimulating academic environment that challenges students to develop expertise in epidemiologic methods, along with problem-solving skills that they apply to a wide range of public health problems. To promote an inclusive environment for students and support research that addresses structural factors that drive health disparities, the department seeks to incorporate principles of equity, inclusion, and diversity into the course curriculum, workshops, and seminars.

students and professor in lab

Three epidemiology degree programs are offered at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health:

  • MPH in Epidemiology

    The MPH in Epidemiology, a two-year professional degree program, provides broad training in public health and epidemiology. Graduates leave with marketable skills, including study design, data management, and data analysis. They are prepared to improve population health in any of a variety of settings, including government, non-governmental organizations, healthcare organizations, academia, and industry.

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  • MS in Epidemiology

    The MS in Epidemiology, an academic, research-oriented degree often pursued in preparation for a doctoral degree, readies students for research careers in academia, government, or industry through intensive coursework in areas such as epidemiologic methods, biostatistics, data management, chronic disease epidemiology, and global and infectious disease epidemiology, along with a major research project.

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  • PhD in Epidemiology

    The PhD in Epidemiology, for individuals aspiring to careers in research and/or teaching within universities or research organizations, trains students through an intensive curriculum in methodology. Doctoral students typically complete additional specialized training in a mathematical, biologic, or social science.

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In all of these programs, students benefit not only from the instruction and mentorship of renowned faculty, but also from opportunities to participate in research. The large volume of research and training grants, and wide breadth of subject-matter interest and expertise among the faculty, provides a multitude of options for students to take part in cutting-edge science and discovery. Highly regarded training programs prepare students in fields such as cancer epidemiology, infectious disease surveillance, and HIV/AIDS research and policy. The department’s close ties with organizations, including the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, opens doors to internship positions that provide meaningful experiences in the practice of epidemiology for the county’s diverse population.

Graduates are well equipped to move into positions in any of a variety of settings. These include international health agencies, state and local health departments, federal government agencies and health programs, healthcare organizations, colleges and universities, and as consultants and staffers in both private and public research institutions. The department’s alums include numerous influential figures on the national and international stage, including Dr. Sander Greenland, a UCLA Fielding professor emeritus who is among the top 1% of cited authors in the field; Dr. Zunyou Wu, UCLA Fielding adjunct professor and chief epidemiologist of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; and Dr. Vonthannak Saphonn, UCLA Fielding adjunct professor — the first Cambodian to earn a PhD in epidemiology through the UCLA/Fogarty Scholars program, directed by Dr. Roger Detels — who is head of research for Cambodia’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology and STIs, and founded the Cambodia School of Public Health. Numerous other graduates hold positions in departments and agencies such as the World Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, California Department of Public Health, and Los Angeles County Department of Public Health; private companies such as Amgen, Analysis Group, Merck, and Uber; community-based organizations such as the Los Angeles LGBT Center; and at UCLA and other leading academic institutions.